Cold War Kids at the Gothic Theatre, 4-3-13 (review)

Nothing like the release of an album the day before a concert to get a band pumped up, and so when the Cold War Kids hit the stage before a sold-out show at the Gothic Theatre on Wednesday night, it was obvious that Tuesdayâ€™s debut of â€śDear Miss Lonelyheartsâ€ť was a factor.

â€śThis is special,â€ť said lead vocalist Nathan Willett as he launched into the adamant rocker â€śMiracle Mile,â€ť the third song of the night â€“ familiar because itâ€™s been out as a single since 2011 — and also the second track from the new release.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

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Cold War Kids shined with old material at the Ogden Theatre on Tuesday, though the newer songs lacked punch. Photos by Nathan Iverson, heyreverb.com.

The band had led with the title track, and even though it was clear no one really knew â€śDear Miss Lonelyhearts,â€ť the crowd was beyond receptive. It wasnâ€™t hard to be. Based on the four tunes L.A.-based Cold War Kids threw out from the new effort and an earlier listen, â€śLonelyheartsâ€ť is getting closer to what fans have patiently been awaiting: An alignment of the promise from their first album in 2006, the unconventional blues rocker â€śRobbers & Cowards,â€ť with some of the catchy hooks and instrumental experimentation they wandered off into with the last two efforts (with mixed success).

With that voice, Willett is like the Ricola man from the cough drop commercials, but itâ€™s as if he can play the part of alpenhorn, too. Occasionally, it completely took over the sound, but most of the time, this band was so focused and tight, it was like being at the end of a tunnel listening to the train on its way out, with Willettâ€™s vocal engine forcefully leading and drummer Matt Aveiro an unrelenting caboose pushing the sound.

With bassist Matt Maust and guitarist Dann Gallucci (formerly of Modest Mouse, who recently replaced Jonnie Russell) providing the tracks alongside, it made for a satisfying show, played by a band that pretty much comes out and gets down to business, with a minimum of chitchat. After sharing how psyched they were to be here right after the album release, Willett checked in once to see how everyone was, later said thank you a couple of times and twice announced how many more songs would be played. Thank you, and good night.

But that left more time for rocking, which was just fine. From the Led Zeppelin-like guitar work on the crowd singalong â€śHang Me Out to Dryâ€ť â€“ with its quirky keyboard bits — to the soulfully laconic â€śEvery Man I Fall For,â€ť the band never let up its intensity, even imbuing the hypnotic â€śCold Toes on the Cold Floorâ€ť with a more frenetic guitar back-and-forth that revealed how much fun they were having.

To the bandâ€™s credit, no â€śMine is Yours.â€ť They finished with the pounding, upbeat â€śSomething is Not Right with Me,â€ť but that was a lie. Theyâ€™re getting there.

Set list

Dear Miss Lonelyhearts

Rubidoux

Miracle Mile

Iâ€™ve Seen Enough

Louder Than Ever

Jailbirds

Hang Me Up to Dry

Audience of One

Mexican Dogs

Every Man I Fall For

Loner Phase

Relief

Cold Toes on the Cold Floor

Fear and Trembling

Royal Blue

Hospital Beds

Encore:

We Used to Vacation

Minimum Day

Something is Not Right with Me

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Kyle Wagner is a regular contributor to Reverb and travel editor at The Denver Post.